I originally posted this report on
www.maxi-scoots.com so it is written to be read by riders of various brands of scoots but includes thoughts concerning my time with the Xciting.
Two years and a half, 10,000 miles and some change with the Kwang Yang .5 liter. That's not many miles compared to some of you but the scoot shares saddle time with the Concours, though carrying the bulk. I'm only 4 miles from work, otherwise the majority of my riding consists of 200-300 mile days with a couple of 400 mile one way trips thrown in. Actually, since purchasing the Connie in 2006 anual milage has increased from an average of 3000 to around 6500. Previously, riding was about 80% utility and 20% pleasure, as my motorbike was so old I didn't venture more than 100 miles from home, which instigated purchasing my first new motorbike. A couple of years with the Connie, left me missing the versatility of a smaller motorbike. After a bit of experience with the wife's small scooter, I purchased my second new motorbike, first scooter. Two years zip by and for six months I've been wondering what to say about two years with the Kwang Yang Motor Company, Not Xactly Xciting 500.
Sorry, my 24 month warranty expired without opportunity to test dealer or Kymco, so nothing to review there. I've tightened screws, lost one helmet lock because I missed tightening a screw, changed two rear tires, will be changing the front this week and swapped fluids several times. I noticed the other day some clear coat is coming off the brake levers. Rear tire removal is more involved than any other motorbike I've owned but it gets simple the second time. Fluid changes are simple, with everything easy to get to, swap from center to side stand simplifies oil filter replacement and back to center stand to service, your experiences may vary.
I've never ridden another maxi scoot and don't intend to unless I walk into a dealer, spot something particularly shiny and buy it, so no delightful comparisons.
Though the Burgman is known as the big butt scooter, the Xciting 500 is the big BUT scooter. Kymco has a good reputation BUT it doesn't quite have the pedigree; BUT it doesn't have the storage; BUT it doesn't have quite the suspension or handling; BUT the seat is hard; BUT there is no room if you're 6'.
Pedigree - Conceeded, I'm not the Kymco Vindicator or inclined to champion any brand. I rode the same Yamaha for 18 years, yet I would never say 'Buy a Yamaha you'll never regret it'. Pick any brand and I can point out weak areas on numerous models through the years. Sixteen years from now, if I still have the Kymco, never had a problem with it and you ask about Kymco, I don't make recommendations, I can tell you about my experience with Kymco. Again I'm sorry I have no information about how Kymco or dealer may handle any 24 month warranty problems, as I tightened the loose screws myself, your experience may vary.
Storage - Conceeded but I don't mind a topcase at all, though some offer more, no scooter has enough underseat storage to meet my needs. Though, it would be nice to be able to store a spare helmet and riding bag under the seat.
Suspension - Conceeded, though I have no experience, I hear some are plusher, some more sporting. The Xciting front can be harsh at low speeds on big holes but contrary to the implications of at least one reviwer, I have never felt the bars were being ripped from my hands or anything close. At speed, the Xciting settles in and rides pretty smooth, I've never hit anything that unsettled the Kymco's grip. Most days I take a bump at 35MPH, while leaned, where asphalt transitions to concrete, that bounces me from the truck seat at the same speed. Of course, no matter what I'm riding, I try to avoid as much as possible. Maybe if I rode another scooter, I'd learn to dislike the Kwang Yang suspension but after 30 months, I never notice.
Handling - Conceeded, parts drag early but it's very predictable. I've never had either of the three brands rear tire break loose, wet or dry. A couple of times I've levered the rear wheel slightly off the ground and slid on the center stand tang but ease up on the bars slightly and she sits back down on the tire. Still with all the parts dragging, there have been many riders of various types of motorcycles unable shake me on a tight road, some can. Never had the opportunity but I'm curious how many scoot riders could leave me behind at Deal's Gap. I'm not a good rider, I'm sure many could but I wonder what percentage would pull away from me and the KWang Yang's antiquated, part draggin, suspension.
Seat's Hard - Conceeded, it is hard but have you ever tried a Corbin? Not saying the Kymco seat is as good as a Corbin, just that a hard seat doesn't necessarily translate to a bad seat. I've added a jell pad and Alaska sheepskin but upon removing them during an all day rain, I discovered that for a few hours in the saddle the stock seat may be a bit more comfortable. The pads increase the seat height allowing a bit more leg room when flat footing the floorboards so it's still a bit of a trade off.
No room for six foot - I am six foot and I find space ample but close. The high seat height, with which some have a problem, puts my knees in line with my hips in any position. I have sat on all the other scoots other than the big Burgman and find the lower seat height puts my knees above my hips, whether flat footed or feet forward. Same as cruiser style bikes, knees higher than hips puts my bad back into an intolerable position. It wouldn't be a problem as I would immediately have the seat height raised if I had any of the others. My motorcycle is equipped with bar risers and peg lowers, I've spent approximately $600.00 adapting it to fit. I've done nothing to the Kymco other than the seat pads, the jell pad was actually purchased for the cycle prior to getting the scoot and serves both, as does the Alaska sheepskin.
A couple of other Kwang Yang Quirks, I don't care that the speedometer isn't accurate, after two years I can tell at a glance how fast I'm going by the position of the pointer, if I want confirmation, a glance at the GPS. I want the gas gauge to do what I'm use to on a motorbike, warn me to check the trip meter and figure where I'm stopping for gas. When my motorcycle guage says empty there is still more fuel in the tank than the Kymco holds. A note on the fuel guage, around the 26 month mark it got more accurate. I'll cover more on fuel gauges in another post, as this one is getting a bit lenghty.
Wow, I forget how many BUTS the Xciting has until I start listing them BUT the only thing I ever find annoying is the fuel range. It's like a Sportster with the small tank and by the way gets similar fuel milage. I usually look for fuel at 130-140 miles, which will normally require 2.7 to 3 gallons to fuel. On an interstate, where I can judge by exit numbers, distance to fuel, I will stretch a fuel stop to 150 miles. At interstate speeds that can often mean less than 2 hours between stops. The good news, it renders the hard seat question less critical and rest stops come often.
So what's the bottom line other than establishing that the Xciting is the undisputed BIG BUT scooter. Do I recommend the Kwang Yang Motor Company, Xciting 500. You know me better than that.
Timex in a Seiko display; Falcon at a Mustang show; Mule at the Kentucky Derby, conceeded, it's may not be the perfect scooter BUT it has been a perfectly acceptable scooter for my purposes. We've ridden into six states on asphalt, concrete and gravel; explored ridges looking down on the clouds; spent countless hours with no sign of humanity, than ourselves and the narrow gravel trail; ventured through valleys, where kyakers play and fog rolls up the mountain side in rivers of white; Through cold, heat, rain and blasts of snow, icicles in sheets hanging from road side scarp with never a moments regret, we've wandered. Your experience may vary.
Could I be happier with another scooter? I don't know, what have you got for $4700.00 new?
Until next time, See Ya!
